Bochum vs. Arminia Bielefeld: probable line-ups, match stats and LIVE blog!

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Asano played his part in a quite remarkable Ruhr derby at Borussia Dortmund last time out. The 34-time Japan international produced two assists as Bochum ran out 4-3 winners in a topsy-turvy game that secured their place in next season's Bundesliga. Twelfth in the standings going into the penultimate round of fixtures, Bochum could yet end their first campaign of Bundesliga football for 11 years in the top half. With defender Kostas Stafylidis suspended and Danilo Soares is a doubt, Thomas Reis will likely name an unchanged starting line-up for his team's final home game of 2021/22.

Bielefeld's hopes of a third straight season in the Bundesliga hang in the balance. Given their inferior goal difference, Arminia realistically need at least three points from their remaining two fixtures to have any chance of trading places with VfB Stuttgart in the relegation play-off spot. That means ending a winless run dating back to Matchday 23, incidentally when Okugawa last scored. Arminia did at least show fight to come from behind and draw with Hertha Berlin in their second game under interim coach Marco Kostmann. Teenaged striker Burak Ince and veteran midfielder Gonzalo Castro will hope to retain their places, but could m ake way for the returning Alessandro Schöpf and Janni Serra.

Match stats

Asano trebled his number of 2021/22 league provisions last time out as he laid on two assists in the same Bundesliga game for the first time.

Sebastian Polter is Bochum's nine-goal leading marksman in this season's Bundesliga.

Reis' team have collected 25 of their 39 points at home this season and have conceded half as many times (16) as they have on their travels (32).

Okugawa is Bielefeld's eight-goal top scorer this season and he is one goal off his career best return of nine in a single campaign.

Bielefeld have the worst record in the division in 2022, having collected 11 points from 15 matchdays (W2, D5, L8).

Arminia have lost their last six league away games, scoring just once in that time.

Probable teams

Bochum: Riemann - Gamboa, Masovic, Leitsch, Bockhorn - Pantovic, Losilla (c), Rexhbecaj - Asano, Polter, Holtmann

Out: Stafylidis (suspended)

Doubtful: Soares (knee)

Coach: Thomas Reis

Bielefeld: Ortega - Ramos, Pieper, Nilsson, Laursen - Kunze, Prietl (c) - Wimmer, Schöpf, Okugawa - Serra

Out: Klos (fractured skull), Lasme (knee)

Doubtful: Brunner (concussion)

Coach: Marco Kostmann

About the clubs VfL Bochum 1848

Vonovia Ruhrstadion

Arminia Bielefeld

SchücoArena

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